LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 140th Anniversary of the Oswego
Fire Department

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to commemorate the 140th Anni-
versary of the Oswego Fire Department and to honor its past and present
firefighting members for 140 years of fire protection to the citizens of
the City of Oswego; and
WHEREAS, The Oswego Fire Department, serving the City of Oswego in
Oswego County, New York, was established in 1876 and is the second
oldest career fire department in New York State; and
WHEREAS, In addition to fire suppression, the Oswego Fire Department
provides emergency ambulance service, water rescue, and hazardous mate-
rials emergency response; and
WHEREAS, Currently, the Oswego Fire Department includes 59 members, a
number of whom are legacy firefighters, or relatives of those who have
served the residents of Oswego in years past; and
WHEREAS, The history of the Oswego Fire Department sadly includes the
loss of five members in the line of duty; and
WHEREAS, The rich history of the Oswego Fire Department is well docu-
mented and displayed at the John D. Murray Firefighter Museum located
behind the Oswego Fire Department Headquarters; and
WHEREAS, Fire departments are an integral part of community protection
services in every locality of our State; during the past 140 years, the
courageous and devoted firefighters of the Oswego Fire Department have
valiantly responded to all types of fire emergencies and have won the
praise and respect of the community which they serve; and
WHEREAS, With a membership of dedicated firefighters, the record of
the Oswego Fire Department in public service and fire protection is one
to be envied; for 24 hours a day, for 365 days a year, for 140 years,
whenever the alarm sounded, these noble individuals left their homes and
went to the aid of their neighbors; and
WHEREAS, The brave firefighters of the Oswego Fire Department are
prepared to risk their lives every day to help save the lives of others
and to protect homes and property from the destruction caused by fire;
and
WHEREAS, In addition to the skill and devoted service demonstrated by
individual firefighters, the Oswego Fire Department reflects the history
and development of firefighting over the past 140 years; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body cannot express sufficient gratitude to
those devoted individuals who recognize that the preservation of life
and property is a sacred responsibility and who make that responsibility
their own by serving as firefighters; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that we should give
special recognition to those who work so assiduously for the betterment
of their communities, and acknowledge publicly the heroic good works
performed by the fire departments of this great Empire State, their
officers and auxiliaries; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
proudly commemorate the 140th Anniversary of the Oswego Fire Department;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Oswego Fire Department.